Feed it

I stumbled upon the band Grandaddy while researching Modest Mouse, and got amped on their garage-y sound. That somehow spun me on to an Elliot Smith binge, which always hurts. Brilliant musicians always seem to have such misfortune. Did you know that Johnny Marr (from The Smiths) played in Modest Mouse for three years? How cool is that? Now I know why I want to get really famous: so that I can collaborate with my idols...

Friend meets idol (Page Hamilton)

Today I have another day free from the confines of paid-labour, and will make good on it by folding clothes and making noise. Friends: dial me, type me, comment towards me or just show up at my door. I'm around and willing. I'm beginning to get food ideas, and they might direct me towards a delicious heaping of satisfying eats. 

Apo Island Sunset, Philippines (2010)

As I was dozing off last night, I came up with a new song. Some of which goes: 

'you guys don't know, so just get out of my way

because I'm eating -- I'm eating your soul'

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysq_SYy1taA
Grandaddy - The Crystal Lake (music video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4cJv6s_Yjw&feature=related
Elliot Smith - Between the Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_UR61itZxo
Heatmiser - Plainclothes Man (music video)

Fire is magic

Last night, local rockhounds METZ played a free show down at Parts & Labour to a packed house. It was pretty funny to see the contrast between the upstairs being chock-full of people trying to out-hipster each other, and downstairs in the darkness with the loud punk bands. It's quite possible the hipsters had infiltrated the basement as well (well I know they did), but the darkness hid their aviator sunglasses and plaid shirts well enough for me to be content. I nearly lost hearing in my right ear because I was standing close to the monitor, which was blasting probably 150 decibels into my face as the singer kept begging for more volume. Fuck that. I took control of the situation that the inept sound guy couldn't handle, and turned the speaker 90 degrees so that the stage actually had a monitor facing it. What a bunch of idiots. There must have been close to 200 people in the audience, yet no one else with a clue about sound. Guess who didn't ask for any more volume after my fix? I actually enjoyed the first band a lot after fixing the situation. My reward? Paying $15 for two delicious beers.

Metz killed it with their signature squealing, punk kicks and screamypants' vocal wailings. Thanks guys for whispering a couple of sweet nothings in the bouncer's ear to let us in to the packed joint a little earlier. They had guitar amp trouble a couple of times, but the drummer stayed steady enough that most of the drunks didn't even notice the snafus. Good work. I bootlegged a couple of songs, and if they turn out, I'll post them online for your listening pleasure.

Large campfires are magical.

Clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwnLxySXJ0E&feature=related

Modest Mouse - Dramamine (live in the Netherlands, 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGF3qH1FOfc&feature=related

METZ - Negative Space (music video)

Hot Jams

When I grow up (if I ever do), I want to be a parking enforcement officer. Maybe that way I can become popular. It's a good thing that I can sprint like an antelope when I need to. I was nearly roadkilled by several Queen st. vehicles, but did manage to stop mr. Tow Truck before he hauled off my pappy's sweet ride to the dark, far reaches of town. My car doesn't stand because it's not bipedal, so I didn't see the problem. A small fortune and several choice cuss words later, and I was again a wheeled man.

The Smith Westerns played a tight and melodic set that got hips swaying. Some good old boys I know were causing the right kind of mayhem in the dance pit. I couldn't help myself from smiling the whole time. There were a few stiff rocks at the show-- you know, the people that don't understand that the point of live music is to move around and feel it envelop you. The kind of sheeple that are deathly afraid of physical contact with a sweaty stranger, yet feel the need to cram right up near the front of the stage. Why don't you just go back to your safe and sterile suburbs and listen to the CD?

Smith Westerns @ The Horseshoe - Jan 27 2012 

Azores +

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkp9bDGDd1w
Randy George - Something About Us (Daft Punk cover including a theremin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgttYkzAxSk&feature=related

Jigsaw - Skate Promo

"We are what we pretend to be"

Young guns are killing it these days. Madeon is only 17, and mashing up the Daft Punk vibe with a skill beyond my comprehension. The country that produced Daft Punk and Justice, now gives us Madeon. Anybody want to hit up Nantes with me? France is where the electronic music is at.

If you're interested in understanding human behaviour, check out the link to 'The Benjamin Franklin Effect'. It's a fairly lengthy read, but well worth it. It's chock-full of interesting concepts, especially the idea that our opinions seem to be more clearly based on our behaviours as opposed to the other way-round. Be careful not so much what you wish for, but rather be careful how you are because it will shape what you wish for. I really like his writing style and subject matter, and am going to venture out to purchase his book in a few moments. You Are Not So Smart - David McRaney

 Fresh snow always looks so nice.

Tonight:
More young guns with hot music, Smith Westerns play at the Horseshoe Tavern. 9pm, $15

Links:
http://youarenotsosmart.com/2011/10/05/the-benjamin-franklin-effect/
Excellent blog posting on the psychology of motivations and values.
http://mrhipp.tumblr.com/
Nerd Art Shenanigans.

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTx3G6h2xyA
Madeon - Pop Culture (live mashup)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7Oe1DN5VDA&feature=related
Caribou - Melody Day

Sun

I smiled from the Bizarro comic in the paper today: [at a nearly empty funeral] 'He had over 2000 facebook friends. I thought there would be a bigger turnout'. Funny how I've un-facebook-friended a person who I actually care about, just because I can't handle the feed of information it broadcasts to me about them. Likewise I know a friend or two of mine who have done the same to me. Oh broadcast technology...

Also good in the news today, a Mexican duo of guitarists that rock the hell out of flamenco. 'Nuevo Flemenco' as the paper called it. They have a pretty spectacular sound, something of a blend between heavy metal and flamenco.

Last night I had a good old sloppy discussion with a friend of mine who rarely opens up about those nasty and un-manly things called feelings. He was worried again that a woman was wreaking havoc on my fragile little life, but I made sure to assure him that the one causing mayhem is mostly always me. I have a way of telling stories that usually leave out elements that make me look unsavoury, weak, and tasteless (err, creativity?). It's nice to know at least somebody is concerned about my mental health, as futile and ephemeral as it may ever be. This hunk of blood and matter between my ears will be dust in t-minus 70 years regardless--if I'm lucky, so why waste time losing hair? Life is short and beautiful, if filled with ugliness at the same time. Every moment is special, and strong feelings are even more so. I don't believe in clinical depression; I believe that chronic sadness is due to conflict between a personal situation and external commitments that don't add up to perfect harmony. Call me crazy (you won't do it to my face, because almost nobody leaves comments here), but society acculturates us to expect things which do exist, but too often we go looking for them, when they should occur more naturally. You most certainly can force a square in to a round hole; by shaving off the essential elements that make it a square... Don't cry for me Argentina, I'll cry for you.

My Friend's dog Monkey

Tonight:

The Get Nuns play @ Sneaky Dee's with a plethora of other bands, starting at 9pm

It looks like it is going to be packed, so get there early:

http://www.facebook.com/events/247128618691521/

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euS2SlC68q8
Caribou - Sun (music video)
If you can listen to this and not dance with a smile, you are repressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjecYugTbIQ
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (music video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3veR_23Q9w&feature=related
Rodrigo y Gabriela - 11:11 (studio version)

A perfect world of shadows

I re-arranged my room somewhat yesterday, turning my bed 90 degrees to fit it into a cove in my oddly shaped room. It's funny how small changes can feel like big differences. I don't feel as constricted now. Maybe it's because the pot corridor is now physically closed off.
I didn't end up going out to the dance party last night because I checked out the live pop-punk band on myspace and decided that I would rather keep my cover charge. Sorry dudes. Instead I doubled down with that money to turn it in to a delicious burrito. Much better value. My dog was happier that I skipped the show too, because it allowed me to take him to the park earlier, where he got to eat some mysterious and foul smelling shit. Talk about a shit-eating grin. Nah, it was probably puke or something, but he kept sprinting back for more. To each their own, I guess. Maybe it's sort of like me at Value Village today, digging through other people's castoffs for something I find to be a gem. I snagged a copy of Rama II (Arthur C. Clarke) for a couple of bucks. I was tempted by this giant pixar lamp, but managed to hold off. It might've been a secret encasement for a demon or something. It had those bad vibes that were still so enticing.
I watched the movie Underworld, adding further evidence to my opinion that I generally don't care what reviewers say about movies. It got only 1.5 stars on Rotten Tomatoes, but a friend of mine said she liked it, so I was going to watch it regardless. Clearly it borrowed pretty heavily from Romeo & Juliet and Terminator (amongst others), but should we really care when most modern art is a collage of influences? I thought it was wicked. Like most action movies, the actors mostly suck at handling firearms, shooting willy nilly in every direction and ignoring cover in any meaningful way. So? The sets looked cool in their dark way, Selene is hot as hell, good sci-fi/fantasty elements and a mostly coherent, if cheesy plot-line. Win. I'm going to watch the sequel either today or tomorrow, and hopefully it will be more pulp-fiction fun.

This bat was a really good model. Luchador found him snoozing on a piece of wood while we were camping last year. Batman let us take a bunch of pictures with him before he flew off. He wasn't hurt--just a total chillbag.

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmzHRGoKca0
DJ Shadow - Midnight in a Perfect World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KaWSOlASWc&feature=related
Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side

Northern Monkeys

The words aren't quite coming for me today, so I've loaded up with three sweet clips to keep you distracted. Watch out for Aphex Twin, as his darkness might envelop you. Bjork needs no explanation or warning, just listen to her sweet voice. At 4:33 of the Boards of Canada clip, dude has a serious case of stink foot. No wonder his friends left him behind.

The newspaper wasn't very interesting this morning. There were only two good bits; the 'this day in history' photo of Soichi Yokoi, one of the Japanese soldiers from World War II who remained in hiding for 28 years after the Japanese defeat in Guam. He knew that the war was over, but felt it would be shameful to come out of hiding to admit defeat. And I thought I was stubborn. He sounds like he was a really swell guy though, committed to his old-school beliefs regardless of anything or anyone else. I like the wikipedia description of him being discovered: "They [a couple of local villagers] had initially assumed that Yokoi was a villager from Talofofo, but managed to surprise and subdue him, carrying him out of the jungle with minor bruising". 
Normally when I stumble upon someone who I assume is my neighbour, I try to surprise and subdue them too.

The other good tidbit in the paper was a wicked picture of a solar storm currently going on, well, on the sun.

 (Photo by NASA)

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe-XNav5mWU&feature=related
Aphex Twin - Come to Daddy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=wxBO28j3vug
Bjork - All is Full of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQEmaj9C6ko&feature=related
Boards of Canada - Everything You Do is a Balloon

You're poor, but you're fancy

I got an e-mail from one of my past university professors asking me to contribute a short written blurb on what I've done post-Ryerson, and how my degree in bullshitology has helped me (to post on a new sociology website). So I wrote a heartfelt and honest little bit of drivel regarding my life situation and how I perceive my post-secondary education has helped me. Two weeks later, and I just received an e-mail response saying that I was too vague and should follow the formula that everyone else did: i.e. blah blah boring. What she should have said was: 'please write me a free promotional marketing piece so that we (the institution) can claim credit for whatever financial successes you are currently achieving'. Screw that. Education is just another business -- which is too bad, because knowledge and wisdom are two of my highest values. The academy just can't fathom that those can be achieved without them, and perhaps moreso independently. I'm also pissed because I asked her if she could point me towards some places and times where I could sit in on some philosophy and culture classes (not for academic credit, just for the sake of experience), and she completely ignored that. So if you are intelligent enough to earn and put some pretentious letters behind your name, that permits you to act like a douche? I can be douchey enough without you, ya bunch of banana peels.

So today I was working down at the boat show, dismantling some badass French-Canadian technology and stuff, and the boss said that they were going to throw out all the carpeting. Hells no am I letting that stuff go to waste, so I asked him if I could have some, and of course he said it was cool. Minor problem for me was that I rode my little-girl's bike down to work, but whatever; I wouldn't let that stop me. So I rolled the carpet up nicely (a once used 13' x 30' piece), straddled it across the handlebars and seat, and marched that gold 30 blocks back home. As I'm marching steadily uphill in the rain, I noticed all these people driving by in giant SUV's and empty pickup trucks staring at me. And I'm the one who's crazy?

Contest of the day:
The first 3-5 people who write comments get to play Settlers of Catan with me.

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NYbojdoAQE
At the Drive-in - One Armed Scissor
Word is out that these guys have reunited!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bW5VtF_GqQ&feature=related
The Four Tops - Bernadette (live in 1967, on the Ed Sullivan show)

Vast Oceans

Late post tonight, sorry (do you even care?). The show last night started with a really lame middle-aged cover band sprinkled with insurance jokes between songs... I don't usually like to be harsh when criticizing musical acts, but sometimes I can't help it. They got points for having their drummer look sort of like John Goodman in The Big Lebowski, but they really needed those points because they couldn't really score any otherwise. I'm not sure if I've ever seen someone playing music that looked so bored as their bass player was, who was casually chewing gum and meekly tapping his foot. Not even a good hip sway or smile. Weak. At the end of their really long set they played a couple of original tunes that were far more entertaining, but not exactly good or tight. Afterwards the DPF levels got pretty high, and Zabsywabs' guitar gave constant and inappropriate feedback. I kind of really disliked, but at the same time kind of did like how he tended to face the back corner of the stage and rock out to an imaginary audience while ignoring the people who were actually there. It sucks playing gear you're not familiar with on stage, and he seemed to have some difficulty finding the sound he wanted from the modelling amp he was borrowing. The night really picked up when Elissa Barclay got on stage with an acoustic guitar and let loose with some tight, dark, and emotional tunes of hers.

The Outsider art show premiere was pretty good -- we showed up after 2am, but there were a bunch of cool people still there, and some interesting art pieces. My favourite was a painting with neon-type colours of a mine shaft that somehow came off feeling dark and mysterious. The show runs for about a week longer, so check it out if you're curious. A burly Scottish bloke was extolling the virtues of squatter culture in Amsterdam, which seemed pretty cool if you haven't got anything else better to do. No seriously though, I kind of admire people who live outside the boundaries of normal society and do it respectfully and earnestly, while taking advantage of abandoned spaces. I just have a problem when people who do that become self-righteous about it and start clamouring for greater punk movements. The beauty of subcultures is that they are a relief from the over-arching dominant culture to which we all partake in to some degree. As in, if everyone turned punk, the cool thing to do would be to become a square.

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc42KlA4fpk
The Smashing Pumpkins - Porcelina of the Vast Oceans (live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMMkP_ofpXg&feature=related
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion

You say it's a good thing

I had a dream last night where I was sleeping and a cellphone kept on ringing, but I didn't know who's it was, and for whatever reason I didn't answer it. After about 20 missed calls, I suddenly had an epiphany that the phone was under my bed, and that I should definitely answer it. When I did, who else was on the other side of the connection than the person I would like to speak with more than anyone else. Hearing her voice so excited to speak with me took me off guard. Only in dreams.

Yesterday involved Rare Beef Pho from Pho Linh on College, which I found to be not as good as the one I got from Pho Hung on Spadina a couple of weeks back. My friend's pork vermicelli smelled really good though. I ought to branch out from my regular habits more.

Last night's rehearsal with Sabes went really well. We wrote a new upbeat track, and shared the rehearsal space with Azores (band). Those guys have serious talent. We'll be booking a show together very soon, so keep your heads up! The idea was bandied about to try a collaborative effort, with two drummers, two guitarists, bass, keys and four singers... Who knows if anything will come of it, but I still find it a tantalizing idea. Thanks to Nuno for letting me play his nice bass.

Tonight:
Drunk Pussy Faces will be playing at Duffy's Tavern at 10ish (1238 Bloor st. W, near Dufferin)
And Outsider Art Show at Are Gallery (1581 Dundas st. W, near Dufferin)

Check out:
http://azores.bandcamp.com/album/conquerors
Azores - Conquerors (Album)

Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knSvvoMkUG0
Weezer - Only in Dreams (Live)
From a concert at Lupos in Rhode Island, Aug 27 2000.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nTo8rjo-lM&feature=related
Weezer - Paranoid Android (Radiohead cover)
A surprisingly good cover, except that the guitar solos didn't do it for me

Sweet little liar

Dear Diary,

The other day I came to realize that I'm lactose intolerant. Today I've realized that I'm also cheap draft beer intolerant. I'm not fit for human contact at the moment, so that's why I'm writing nonsense. Nobody can smell me online. The internet is still around, right? I heard that the hacker group anonymous blasted some scumbag corporations that were in support of the SOPA legislation yesterday, but my trusty daily newspaper failed to inform me of any of that this morning. Hmmmm.

I'm going to tell me a story (I kind of believe that nobody else reads this stuff).
So last night as I was choking down a King's crown (I intended to pay for that, thanks Shawniqwa -- you good-hearted fool) and chugging shitty draft beer, I noticed that this total babe at the table next to me was making eyes at me. She probably noticed my classy turd-beard soul patch, or remembered my wicked dance moves from earlier at the Convoys show (it was really rad). Anyways, while I'm single I usually deny beautiful damsels a chance at me, but last night was different, so I slickly slid over to her table and put my arm around her and introduced myself. I couldn't hear what her name was, but that was just a small detail I didn't feel a strong need to correct. Her body language said "go", but as I ever more confidently slid my hand up her inner thigh, I thought I should ask her if she was cool. She responded by telling me that her boyfriend would be totally cool with what I was doing, which I thought was pretty awesome. He must be a really cool dude. She showed me a crappy cellphone picture of Zac Efron and told me that he was her boyfriend, that he was a bouncer, and was imminently arriving. I think they'll get married and be happy ever after. As I continued to check that she had warm blood flowing through her veins, she passingly mentioned that she was 27. Not even meaning to be a nice guy, I responded that I would've guessed that she was 10 years younger than that. I guess I am kind of smooth sometimes. It was getting past 3am, and her posse of lady friends that don't need to chew their food had left us for colder pastures, so she got really curious about how I was getting home, and if I was going to take a cab. Being the intelligent and thrifty man that I am, I let her know that I was going to walk home alone, but made sure to tell her to have fun while waiting for her boyfriend. She seemed quite safe in the proximity of the nice, smiley bouncers (and her man-eating friends), so I bid her adieu, and managed to catch up to my main man Shawniqwa. This brings us to what may become a regular feature of these daily rants.

Tip of the day:
Don't drunkenly try to hurdle massive recycling bins in a spontaneous act of machismo for two reasons:
1) You look really dumb and nobody thinks you're cool for doing it.
2) It's harder than it looks, so you'll probably just fall, scrape your leg and wake up later with a charley horse.

Clip of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTbny4bHkAk
Joy Division  - New Dawn Fades (live)
It cuts in late and out early, but seeing Ian Curtis dance is priceless.

*The names in my stories are fictionalized for hilarity's sake.
** Big thanks to Jason from Convoys for the free t-shirt. It looks awesome and I'm proudly wearing it right now.

xx

Sabes

The debate has been settled. Our band is now officially called Sabes. If I can become half the technical player that Victor Wooten is, or with half the soulfulness of James Jamerson, I will be able to sleep at night. Until then, I have so much work to do (and no time for sleep).

Do yourself a favor, watch: "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". If you like music with character that makes you want to dance, and are in to documentary-style voyeurism that gives you sneak peeks at the lives of insanely talented people, you'd be a fool to avoid it.

Bootsy Collins, what a dude.

If you're in town and looking for something to do tonight, come down to Sneaky Dee's, where $5 cover will net you a live listen to the band Convoys, and some guests. Bands start playing at 10pm.

This clip of the day ought to make you want to stomp your feet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiDq4Q62tz4
Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness (live)

Today you get a bonus link to follow; to a sneak peak of a Toronto artist's first issue of his new comic:
http://timcomrie.tumblr.com/
Tim Comrie - Leisure Time

The battle for noses and minds

Hello! This morning I put a dent in my ever-developing lactose intolerance by making my coffee with soy milk, which not only didn't get lumpy, but honestly tasted better and smoother. Nevermind that I'm not gassing up the place. I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to giving up things that I like which are bad for me, so if you love coffee but get shit for gas, try it out for yourself (uhh... the soy milk).

Last night I went down to a comedy show at Hard Luck bar, and it was $5 well spent (well the cover was well spent, the next $5 for a PBR tall can is of more questionable value). The highlights for me were the guy doing a fire safety awareness routine that did anything but raise awareness of safety, an acoustic song number about lying that had excellently timed lyrics, and the headliner comedy troupe 'The Regulars' doing a skit based on the movie 'The Fighter'.

Before all that I wandered around town, eventually finding myself at a local army surplus store that is closing up shop, where a guy offered to sell me a spring-assisted knife. I was flattered, but told him that I had no plans to enter a street-knife fight anytime. It's cool to know that you can have experiences beyond the typical, just by loitering and saying secret password type stuff. I think the secret password I used was purchasing a German Navy smock and demonstrating a knowledge of the Canadian Navy's prestige level 67 years ago. But remember, please don't go getting into knife fights.

I've been in a never-ending battle with my bandmates concerning what our name is. We can't agree on anything (name-wise), but we are at a point where we need to settle on a name in order to move forward. After typing that, I think we all just agreed on Sabes (pronounced 'Sah-Bez'). It's Spanish for "you know".  Anyone have commentary?


Today's clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbE9fgImrAQ&feature=related
Beirut - Brandenburg (Live at the Commodore Ballroom)

Bellowing out a first blog

Bear with me -- I'm virginal to blogging at the moment. We're about to pop that cherry though. I intend to use this column as a venue for my thoughts in a slightly different way than I've been using a particular popular social networking site for years. My life has currently undergone key changes for the better, and why not share them with a massively distracted base of internet trolls? I have a keen interest in art, especially music. I will ideally include a link to something I approve of with every post, but you can call me out if I begin to slip in that regard. I haven't had my breakfast yet, so this post will be brief. You're probably too distracted to read a long post anyways :) Check out this Toronto band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLWkctcr0u8
Dinosaur Bones - NYE
They're playing The Horseshoe Tavern on Feb 2, 2012. Tickets are $10.50